EDITORIAL: Easter joy bestowed this day

Christians throughout world renew faith with the Savior

"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

- Matthew 28:5-7

That's the good news of Easter. Jesus rose from the dead; his crucified body no longer rested in the tomb.

For those who follow him, in fact, calling it "good" news does not sound nearly strong enough. "Exciting." "Stupendous." "Wondrous" These all are more accurate descriptions.

Jesus fulfilled Scripture. Christians say he triumphed over death and is the Savior, as believers give their lives over to him.

Many decry the American habit of picking and choosing the parts of religion that suit them - discarding the parts that are inconvenient - and the secularization of the Easter season. As Christmas has Santa Claus, Easter has the Easter Bunny, which is an odd harbinger who has led generations of children to wonder how a rabbit produces colored eggs and chocolate.

Indeed, fertility symbols such as rabbits and eggs may be a part of traditions that predate Christianity but which were gradually merged into the early church.

On this day, however, none of that matters to Christians. They renew their faith in something holy, even when the actions of men and women fall far short of godly perfection.

They return to houses of worship for the fellowship and to hear the affirming stories of miracles and wonderment.

They do it for themselves and for their children so that the young ones learn that Easter is far more important to them and their religious heritage than the story of an overly large rabbit delivering baskets of chocolate.